A road blockade by residents of Maaganyam village near Sriperumbudur over the operation of stone quarries disrupted traffic on the Sriperumbudur-Tambaram highway for more than three hours before officials and police intervened on September 20.
The protesters said quarries operating in the locality for more than a decade have disrupted daily life through blasting, dust pollution and the movement of heavy trucks. The blockade created long queues of stranded vehicles on both sides of the highway, which is an important road link in the Sriperumbudur region.
Residents alleged that rock blasting takes place almost every day at around 4 pm. They said the explosions produce loud sounds and heavy vibrations, causing damage to houses and posing a risk to livestock in nearby residential areas. They also complained that dust generated by quarrying has spread through the surrounding areas.
The villagers further alleged that trucks transporting quarry materials operate around the clock and travel at high speeds. According to residents, this creates a particular safety risk for children living near the highway and the quarrying areas.
Residents said they had submitted numerous petitions to the Kancheepuram district administration and the Department of Geology and Mining over the past 10 years. They alleged that although officials had repeatedly assured them that action would be taken, no permanent solution had been implemented.
The protest brought the issue onto the highway, with vehicles remaining stationary until revenue and police officials reached the site. The Sriperumbudur Tahsildar, revenue officials and police negotiated with the protesters and assured them that their grievances would be formally conveyed to the district administration and the mining department.
Traffic was restored after the assurance. The report did not specify whether quarry operations would be inspected or suspended, whether any enforcement action had been ordered, or what timeline officials had set for a formal response. The next step identified by officials was to communicate the residents’ complaints to the district administration and the Department of Geology and Mining for action.
